Don’t Be Afraid To Ride The Big Waves

By Jane Garee – Guest Blogger

(Jane is currently member of Lisa’s Divine Juice Inner Circle mentorship program)

Time in a beach house with an ocean view provides a lot of things, and it certainly gives you a fresh perspective. Having recently returned from a business retreat in Laguna Beach, CA, with my mentor, Lisa, and my circle of “sisters”, I can personally vouch for this.

Many people feel renewed when gazing at the sea. From dolphins to surfers to swimmers, there’s always something to look at and frequently, these everyday things carry a profound message, if you take the time to look for them. This past trip, while working and watching the surfers, I realized that the thrill of business ownership has parallels to the thrill of shooting the curls. You need certain things to be successful in both. Here are just a few:

Find a good “surf instructor” – Anyone who ever excelled in life will tell you; finding a mentor is key. It’s no different in business. It was clear while watching the surfing that the serious surfers had someone showing them what to do, how to do it, and the instructor was in the water with them. To surf well, you need technique, training, guidance and support. You need someone who knows what they’re doing, has accomplished what you’re trying to do and will both support you and kick your booty back into the water when you are too tired or scared to try one more time. Having a mentor doing the same for you in your business cannot be underestimated. Sure, you could watch other people’s moves and probably do it on your own, like the surfers I saw who were just out there for fun but if you want a business and not a hobby, you need someone whose knowledge base and experience exceeds yours.

You can’t build your business in theory or all by yourself – You have to get out there, get wet, fall off the board and actually do it. This is much easier to do when you have people around you, cheering for you and are on the same exhilarating journey. Ever notice there’s really no such thing as a lone surfer? Surfers go out in packs, helping each other catch the good waves, stay safe and stay motivated. If you can find a group of like-minded individuals, equally emotionally and financially invested in their businesses, you’ll probably strike gold. Just like the sun glints off the water, surround yourself with the right supportive people and your business will start glittering in a way it never could if you were to go it alone. Our circle of “sisters” is made up of smart, savvy, focused women, and we push each other to get out there, do it and be okay with the occasional wipe out.

Everything was a big wave at some point – This is my personal favorite because I know what having the right mentor and the right group of people with me on the journey has done for my business. I heard a surfer once say, “I’m afraid of the big waves”, to which the instructor replied, “The small waves used to be big waves until you mastered them.” We experience the same thing as business owners. We keep moving forward and onto the next big wave, forgetting how the “little” wave behind us once seemed too mighty to tackle. When you have the right mentoring and support group, you actually move more quickly towards the big waves than you would on your own. However, because of the accelerated speed you experience when you are so plugged in, it’s easy to forget that all those little waves behind you were once the big waves you were paddling toward with a lump in your throat, as opposed to feeling them gently wash over your surfboard as you leave them, conquered, behind. Surround yourself with people who won’t let you forget that.

So if you’re ready to ride the big waves, start looking for your right people because right now, there is the opportunity of a lifetime to really rip. There’s an ocean waiting for you. If you know what I mean, dude.